What is this?

HIGH RIVER, Alta.- The route may be different, but a decades-old tradition is alive and well in High River.

On Monday, the Little Britches Parade made its way through the town, kicking off celebrations ahead of the annual Little Britches Rodeo. The rodeo sees contestants aged three through 14 compete in events like bareback riding, barrel racing and steer riding.

This year’s parade route had to be changed due to extensive infrastructure projects downtown, which are underway in an attempt to protect the flood-battered town from future flooding. Monday’s parade was expected to help lift spirits in the still-recovering community.

“It’s a morale booster anyway after a long winter, but to be able to carry on tradition after this incredible year that we’ve had following the floods from 2013, it’s absolutely a morale booster,” explains Dayna Dickens, business and tourism manager for the Town of High River. “Just the energy that’s surrounding us, the smiles, the positivity, it’s a really good place to be.”

Representatives from seven non-government organizations were named as honourary parade marshals, in honour of the work they did in the aftermath of the flood.

“The fact that they are in High River and they are going to be here for the next probably couple of years is significant,” Dickens added. “They are members of our community and they are playing such an important role in helping High River, the residents in the community in general to rebuild and to move forward.”